News

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently engaged in an official visit to Japan has met Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Katō this afternoon (29) at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo for bilateral discussions.

The discussions between the two factions focused on strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries, the President’s Media Division said.

The President and the Japanese Finance Minister also reviewed ongoing projects and future initiatives in Sri Lanka under Japanese aid/JICA cooperation during the meeting.

Earlier today, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also held discussions with the Prime Minister of Japan, Ishiba Shigeru in Tokyo.

Former WPC Member Amal Silva Granted Bail in Luxury Vehicle Fraud Case

Former Western Provincial Councilor Amal Silva, who was arrested by the Walana Anti-Vice Squad for registering three luxury vehicles worth Rs. 60 million using forged documents, has been granted bail.

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has declared that it will launch a strike tomorrow (30), citing the government’s failure to address persistent problems in the higher education sector.

FUTA Secretary, Senior Lecturer Charudath Ilangasinghe, announced the decision today (29) at a press briefing, stressing that the authorities have not taken adequate steps to resolve long-standing concerns raised by university academics.

MP Ramanathan Archchuna taken into custody by Pettah Police

Parliamentarian Ramanathan Archchuna was taken into custody by the Pettah Police.

He had arrived at the police station this morning (29) to give a statement when he was detained.

The arrest relates to an incident during a recent protest in Colombo, where the MP was seen allegedly assaulting a police officer at the Pettah Police Station.

As part of the ongoing investigation into that incident, he was taken into custody when he appeared at the station today.

The government’s new tax and regulatory changes are expected to affect Sri Lanka’s gaming industry, and Cinnamon Life’s City of Dreams casino says it is ready to adjust.

Speaking at a World Tourism Day event, City of Dreams General Manager Michael Habashi said the casino will need to adapt to the higher taxes and fees. The betting and gaming levy will increase from 15% to 18%, while the entry fee for Sri Lankan players will double from US$50 to US$100. Foreign visitors will still be allowed free entry.

These measures are aimed at boosting government revenue and strengthening regulation. The Treasury has already asked the Legal Draftsman’s Department to prepare the necessary amendments to the Betting and Gaming Levy Act, which will be presented to Parliament soon.

Habashi noted that although the changes will have an impact, City of Dreams is equipped with some of the most advanced gaming technology in the country. He also said that the resort has been attracting more Chinese and Indian tourists, and hopes to draw more visitors from West Asia.

City of Dreams Colombo is part of Melco Resorts and Entertainment, which also operates in Macau, Cyprus, and Milan. Habashi added that the resort encourages travellers to explore other parts of Sri Lanka during their stay, including excursions and shopping for gems and jewellery.

Udaya Gammanpila files complaint with Bribery Commission over MPs’ allowances

Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya party, filed a complaint with the Bribery Commission this morning (29).

The complaint concerns the monthly allowances received by government MPs, which are allegedly being transferred to party funds and used for political activities.

Speaking to the media after submitting the complaint, Gammanpila stated that MPs’ allowances cannot be spent at his discretion. He claimed that over 159 MPs are channeling more than LKR 30 million monthly into party funds, which is then used for political purposes. He described this as a misuse of public funds and urged the Bribery Commission to investigate the matter.

“These funds are meant for paying telephone bills, fuel, and office maintenance. Diverting them to party funds for political activities constitutes misuse of public money. More than LKR 30 million per month, from 159 MPs and the President, is being misused in this way. That is why we have come to the Bribery Commission today, to ensure the law is applied to all 160 individuals involved.”

Google to Offer Free Gemini Advanced Features for Sri Lankan Students

Sri Lankan students are set to receive free access to Google’s advanced AI tools, including Gemini’s premium features, under a new student package announced today (29).

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, revealed the initiative while addressing the “Future of AI Begins Today” conference this morning. He noted that the breakthrough comes after months of discussions between his ministry and Google.

“I’m thrilled to share that Google has agreed to extend its student offer to Sri Lanka, providing Gemini’s advanced features and other valuable benefits completely free of charge. This is a real game-changer,” the Deputy Minister said.

The program aims to equip students nationwide with free access to cutting-edge AI platforms, cloud services, and educational resources, ensuring they are well-prepared for the future digital economy.

President Dissanayake to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba

Invited by the Japanese government, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba today (29) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Japan.

The discussions will focus on bilateral cooperation in areas such as the economy, investment, development, and security.

Accompanying the President will be Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath; Presidential Senior Adviser on Digital Economy, Dr. Hans Wijesuriya; Senior Presidential Economic Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa; and a delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Jaffna District MP Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna, who was arrested earlier today (29), has been granted bail.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate released him on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each.

MP Archchuna was taken into custody this morning when he went to the Fort Police Station to give a statement.

The arrest is connected to an investigation into allegations that he obstructed police duty during a recent Satyagraha protest in Colombo, where he was reportedly seen arguing with a police officer.

Bodies of three workers recovered after earth mound collapse in Mawanella

In the Manikkawa area of Aluthnuwara, Mawanella, a group of workers building a wall came under an earth mound that collapsed this morning (29).

Rescue operations were carried out, and the bodies of all three workers have now been recovered.

Court of Appeal Fixes Hearing for Former Minister Ranawaka’s Writ Petition

The Court of Appeal has scheduled the hearing of former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka’s writ petition, which seeks to quash charges filed against him in connection with a 2016 hit-and-run incident, for November 24.

The petition was called today (29) before Court of Appeal Justice Frank Gunawardena, according to an Ada Derana report. Attorney Amarasiri Panditharatne, representing Ranawaka, requested the court to set a date for the hearing, which the judge approved.

The charges were originally filed by the Attorney General at the Colombo High Court during former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure. Ranawaka faces allegations of causing a motor accident through reckless driving on February 28, 2016, in Rajagiriya.

Ranawaka contends that the indictment was filed in violation of the law. Although his lawyers raised preliminary objections seeking dismissal, the Colombo High Court rejected these objections and ordered the case to proceed.

Subsequently, Ranawaka approached the Court of Appeal, requesting that the High Court’s decision be overturned on legal grounds.

Investigations have revealed that Sampath Manampeiri, who was being sought by the police in connection with an Ice (crystal methamphetamine) trafficking case, deliberately destroyed his mobile phone by placing it on a railway track in the Wellawatte area.

He had confessed that the device was destroyed in order to prevent the police from tracking his whereabouts through it. Instead, he had used another mobile phone, which has since been recovered by police.

According to police sources, this phone is believed to contain a significant amount of sensitive data.

A senior police officer stated that although Manampeiri destroyed the handset he had used for a long period, investigations are still being conducted through its associated number.

After evading arrest for several weeks, Manampeiri surrendered before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court, where he was remanded for seven days and handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for questioning. During that period, no details of his interrogations were released to the media.

However, during a subsequent four-hour interrogation by the Western Province North Crimes Division, he disclosed information regarding the destruction of the phone.

Weapons and ammunition cache uncovered

He also revealed the location of hidden weapons and ammunition. Acting on this information, officers of the Western Province North Crimes Division recovered from a pit at a residence in Mideniya:

• A cache of gold-plated magazines for T-56 assault rifles,
• 115 additional T-56 magazines, and
• A hand grenade.

After the initial seven-day detention expired, Manampeiri was again produced before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court last Thursday and remanded.

Police subsequently sought court approval to detain him for 90 days for further interrogation. Following due legal procedure, the Acting Minister of Defence authorized the order, which was then presented to court last Friday. The court granted approval, permitting the police to detain him for 90 days for further investigations.

Currently, he is being held at the Colombo Harbour Police Station under the custody of the Western Province North Crimes Division.

During questioning, Manampeiri claimed ignorance about the Ice drugs discovered in two controversial shipping containers in Mideniya. He told investigators that while businessman Bako Saman was overseas, he was asked to take responsibility for two containers released from the port, which he then transported to Mideniya.

Link to MP Nadarajah Raviraj assassination

It has also been revealed that Manampeiri was once arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as a suspect in the assassination of Member of Parliament Nadarajah Raviraj.

At the time, he had been serving in the Presidential Security Division under then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. His alleged involvement in the assassination surfaced during the Yahapalana (Good Governance) administration.

Investigations further uncovered that he maintained close ties with a prominent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) politician from the Kurunegala District, and that he was also linked to cannabis smuggling operations.

Recent intelligence suggests that while in hiding, Manampeiri had planned to flee to India by boat with the assistance of a Kerala-based cannabis trafficker in Mannar. It is also reported that one of his children, currently residing overseas, had expressed willingness to provide him with assistance in this attempt.